Iamsecond.com Review

As you may or may not know, I was married to a man that thought beating his wife was the way to keep her in line.  Even if she done nothing wrong, there was no need in waiting for her to do so.  You start the day off with a beating or tongue lashing and other abuse came as needed, or not.  I don't tell you this for a sob story or as I like to call a pity party,, but just to tell you about an amazing website that caters to such stories as I have shared of myself.  For myself and I can only imagine that it is the same for many people that have gone through some of the same struggles that I have, that it is not something that you want to open up and tell the world.  At Iamsecond.com you can hear stories from everyday people such as myself, or from the big hip hop singers such as Lacrae.  Lacrae fell victim to abuse but he never allowed it to take over his life.  Him like so many others don't want to be a victim they want to be a survivor.

     I am sure you are thinking this has nothing to do with you or things you have gone through in life.  Here are just a few things in life that we all as humans have struggled with or will have a struggle with, that we too need someone there to help us. Some of the ones we may encounter are death, grief, anger, divorce, disabilities, purpose in life, war, and work.  I am not saying that we will all encounter every struggle listed on the site but there are some that we all will in some point in our life.  I would like to say that Success was one I had to deal with but I am not there yet.

     Will you commit to be second, and put God first in your life?  Be the First of your peers to show what God can do for you and your family in great times and in bad times.  I often think of the song God on the Mountain.  It says that the God on the mountains is still God in the valley, he is God in the good and the bad.  How true that is, and how we should be putting him first in everything along with our family and letting ourselves come second.  Then let's see how much fulfilling our life will be.

About: I AM SECOND

Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you. The authentic stories on iamsecond.com provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled. 

You’ll discover people who’ve tried to go it alone and have failed. Find the hope, peace, and fulfillment they found. Be Second.

While the videos are REALLY well done, they want to make more, and therefore have set up a chance for people to financially support more I Am Second videos.  The initiative is called Seconds Change.

About: Seconds Change

Give Change, Make Change- Many more stories are waiting to be told.  You can help.  Commit $2 every Tuesday to build film funds, and your contribution will be used to develop, produce and promote new films. Join the project and become an I am Second insider with access to exclusive content via Facebook.

Resources: 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Iam2nd.Nashville

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IamSecond

Website:  http://www.iamsecond.com

Enjoy free books and literature

     Do you enjoy reading the Bible, or even biblical books and daily devotions?  I am a member of Tyndale Rewards and I earn points for doing such things as signing up for the birthday club, just signing up, etc.  In return I can get FREE books or Bibles to keep for myself, give as gifts to friends and family, or even share with my readers. The more you interact with the program the more points you can earn and the more gifts you can earn for FREE!  Everybody loves free things, I do anyway.

     One of my favorite perks is that as a member, signed up under the birthday club you will receive a free gift for your birthday.  My birthday is a special day for me no matter how old I get and I enjoy getting gifts from my children.  My favorite gifts that I have received so far as always the cards and gifts that they took the time to make themselves.  It not only tells me that they love me enough to make something, but that they put thought into what to make me.



     Would you like to be part of this awesome program?  All you have to do is go here, and sign up.  It is free to sign up and you automatically receive 25 points just for signing up.  It is that easy.  Once you sign up, you can start earning more points by sharing the program on facebook, twitter, etc.  Before you know it you will have enough points to get your first book at no charge. 







     If you are working towards a certain book, you have plenty of time because your points never expire.  This makes it great for someone who has limited funds, or has a family member that just really likes a certain title.  Maybe  your Bible has been ruined in a fire or flood, now you can just use your points to get a new one.  This is a great program for everyone and I have really enjoyed being a member.  I hope each of my readers takes up on this opportunity.  If you have any questions or problems, please leave a comment, and I will respond with the best help I can or refer you to the right place if I haven't got the answer.

Back to School Bash and Giveaway

Welcome to the Back to School Blast!

Getting your family prepared to head back to school, can be difficult especially after a long, fun-filled summer. Here are a few of our favorite Back to School Tips to help you along the way.

1. Back-to-School Supplies Checklist - Backpack? Check. Pencils? Check. Safety scissors? Not Yet. Use the same checklist each time you head out to grab supplies, to keep track of what you have already purchased and the things you still need to. These are also handy if you have more than one child. Simply print 2, 3, 4 list and add their name to the top.

2.  Orientation is a great way to get the supply list needed, meet your teachers, learn where to go on the first day, and meet up with your friends from school the year before.

3.  This year my son will be starting high school this year, and they are having a 2 day, day camp.  In this camp they will meet all the new Freshmen coming into the school, do a dry run of their classes, and get to know the school without so many other students there.

4.  School clothes depending on the age of the child can be a big deal.  They want all the latest fashions but here at our schools our students are required to wear  uniforms.  So you want to make sure that the clothes that you are purchasing for school are within guidelines of the dress code, not just stylish.

5.  Decide prior to the start of school if your child be a car rider, ride the bus, or will they be driving themselves to school.  Some schools require certain passes for car riders and drivers, so this needs to be done early on to be sure your student doesn't get into any trouble.

The Back to School Blast was organized by Mom Powered Media.

Please take a moment to also visit our lovely co-hosts, whom without them great things such as these would not be possible: My Vegan Gluten-Free Life, Plum Crazy About Coupons, Capri's Coupons, Downshifting - Your Family, Your Home, Your Life, Jack of all trades, Master of Mom™, Quick Tattletails, Mew Review and Iowa Mom.

One lucky winner will receive a $1,000 Visa Gift Card!

Giveaway ends August 15th at 11:59pm, open worldwide, ages 18+. If the winner resides outside of the US, they will receive Paypal cash. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:Southern Mom of 4 is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

Cascade Platinum Review

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”

     When we go to cook dinner or serve dinner, we want to make sure our dishes are as clean as they can be.  I personally do not enjoy washing dishes the first time but having to rewash after they have already been washed is really bad.  It really can be embarrassing also to have a dinner party and set out your dinnerware that it is spotty, streaky, or just not very clean looking.  With the new technology we have the option of now of loading up our dish washer and letting it do the work for us.  Unfortunately I am not a huge fan of having to rinse and clean my dishes before the dish washer does it's thing, so I tend to avoid the dish washer when I have a big occasion or dinner party planned.

     With the other brands of dishwasher tabs that I have used in the past I have to almost wash my dishes prior to loading in the washer and then they still don't always come out looking clean.  Since I was given the chance to sample the new Cascade Platinum with Dawn, I thought worse case scenario is that it doesn't work either, right?  Let me help you out.  I loved it and have recommended it to everyone I have seen, rather at home, or in the grocery store.  I gave this the full scale test by not pre-washing the dishes prior to loading in the dish washer and seeing just how well it works.  I was amazed to see that when the cycle had run through that the dishes not only looked clean, but they felt clean also. They also had that clean lemon fresh scent that just makes you sit back and go ah. 

     Not only has cascade made my dishes look better, but it has also helped me have a better dinner presentation!  If you haven't already check out the video with Gail Simmons and she can show you how she uses Cascade to make a better dinner presentation!

Also check out Cascade on Facebook, and visit the Cascade website. There is also a contest going on for all of my instagram readers.  You can check it out at #MyPlatinum and you could enter to win some really great prizes.

Nursing in Style

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Comfort and Harmony for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

      When I was pregnant with my 3 babies the Doctors and Nurses were constantly telling the pros and cons of breastfeeding.  One of the best pros were that the Mothers milk not only provides a healthier milk but it also is easier for the baby to digest.  Besides the medical pros my favorite is the connection or bond that is between a Mother and her baby.  Most Mothers have the same question and that is what if I work?  They will give you alternatives for working Mothers that are still a great plus, it was for me.

     The Mombo nursing pillow can be bought from Toys R Us or Babies R Us, at a really great price and you can purchase different pillow cover themes.  Depending on your style or nursery theme they have everything from cartoon characters to the most sophisticated. To can also Like Comfort & Harmony on Facebook or Follow Comfort & Harmony on Twitter and get more information and deals.

     The Mombo pillows are ergonomlc and make the perfect baby shower gift.  Especially to a new Mommy.  They are comfortable for both baby and Mom rather in the comfort of their home or in a public setting. The mombo nursing pillow allows for the closeness of the baby giving him or her the needed support and comfort needed to nurse.  It is also great for toddlers in travel because of the way it wraps around the baby and keeps them from rolling over on to their stomachs.  My daughter loved hers so much that she still uses hers today and she is almost 5, but she says it is like laying in the arms of Mommy.  The Mombo pillows go from soft2firm and have a vibration mode, both of whicj assist in the relaxtion of the baby and made for comfort!

     Maybe you are not wanting to breastfeed, I can't tell anyone what to do but I can say that the mombo nursing pillow is also goof just for helping you give the baby the support needed for holding, bonding, and spending quality time with.  Because I was only able to nurse for a very short period, I used my pillow for playtime with my infants.  I would lay the baby inside and she could lay there and look at her Mommy, however it is NOT recommended that you place the baby on any pillow and leave unattended or that you prop a bottle. 

Go Like Comfort & Harmony on Facebook and Follow Comfort & Harmony on Twitter, and be one of the first to see what's new with Mombo.

Best Kept secret of Oklahoma Moutains

The Kiamichi and Ouachita mountains hold one of the best kept secrets for weekend getaways, Broken Bow Lake Cabins. This wilderness retreat area that is located within southeast Oklahoma delivers the ultimate vacation stay for those within the Oklahoma City area and the Dallas, Texas area. Whether it's a corporate retreat, a couples getaway, a group outing or a family weekend, Broken Bow Cabins are designed to provide the best in private rustic cabins. With surrounding wildlife, pine trees and natural attractions, guests can afford to relax and enjoy more than 14,000 crystal clear acres of water recreation. Guests can take up jet skiing, paddle boating, bicycling and hiking or they can visit the local train depot. Broken Bow Lake Cabins also offers easy access to nearby attractions, such as the Forest Heritage Center and Museum, Beavers Bend Depot and Stables and McCurtain County fishing opportunities. Furthermore, vacationers can also Find Beavers Bend Cabins at BrokenBowLakeCabins.com. These privately owned weekend oasis areas also provide access to the Lower Mountain Fork River, the Choctaw Casino and the Broken Bow Winery and Tap. Broken Bow Lake Cabins also offer non-stop action and adventure with opportunities for golf, horseback riding and ATV riding. Additionally, these cabins provide the perfect opportunity for enjoying the well-known picturesque view of the Talimena Scenic Drive within Beavers Bend State Park. Some prospective guests may even want to book a Broken Bow Lake Cabin to enjoy special events, such as the Beavers Bend Folk Festival and Craft Show, the Beavers Bend Rod Run or the famous Mayfest. Broken Bow Lake Cabins truly offer endless getaway possibilities.

Garden Inspirations

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

     When you look around while walking through a neighborhood or driving down the road, do you ever notice the landscape and garden layouts of the other peoples yard?  I do, and find so many things I would love to do in my yard.  I also find lots of inspiration from magazines and photos.  With the resources we have to day, you can find all kinds of inspirations from silly, to celebrity styles.  I must say that I enjoy the country homey look much more than I do a complete clean look.  Don't get me wrong, I like for it to be clean but I also enjoy the look of not being afraid I am going to mess something up and I like for it to be fun to look at.  If I had the garden of my dreams I would have an interactive garden, with walk ways, benches, and fun things to look at.  When I think of a perfect garden I am reminded of the Secret Garden, and think how awesome would that be.  A place to go and get away from everything, to read a book, or just relax.

     To get started with your great fun garden projects you first need the right materials to get started.  I am a huge Hen and Bitty plant fan so that is the first step for m is to decide what flower or plant I want to use.  Once you decide what plant you want to use then you can visit the Miracle-Gro Facebook  page or Pinterest page and get some really great ideas on different projects that you and your family will enjoy doing together.  The Gro Project offers many but my favorite for the hen and bittys is the toyrarium.  For this project you will need to gather up your plants (cactus), Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix, small figurines, rocks (color or white) spoon, and a fish bowl or another glass bowl.

     Once you have your material together you need to wash your container and allow it to dry, place your rocks and potting soil in the bottom, only fill about half way up, then mix your soil and rocks together.  This will allow the water to drain and keep your cacti happy and healthy.  Then you will arrange your plants and place your toys around the plants, And now you have a toyrarium that looks great in any room, especially in a child's room!

     Check out this video and see what you come up with.  It is the perfect time to get your hands dirty with Miracle-Gro and make not only your home but your yard beautiful!